Table tap



NOV. 29, 1932. Q M PETERSEN 1,889,695

TABLE TAP Filed April 16, 1929 v mm nventoz Carl M Pe ersen,

. from electrical 'Patented Nov. 29, '1932.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CARL M. PETERSEN, 0F TRENTON, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO CIRCLE F MFG. C0., 0F TRENTON, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION 0F NEW JERSEY TABLE TAP Application led April 16,

This invention relates to electrical appliances, and more particularly to a convenient service outlet termed a table tap.

One of the objects of the present device is to provide a plurality of electrical outlets in a single unit which may be connected by a cord and plug to a wall receptacle base board outlet or the like to furnish ample plug-in facilities on a table where such electrical appliances as percolators, toasters, waie irons or the like may be used without the annoyance of entangling cords and a plurality of connectors.

A further an-d primary object of the invention is to provide a device of this type which simple in construction, reliablein operation and which may be used either as a portable or as a fixed device. In its use as a portable device the same is properly weighted or balanced at its base so that it will occupy a relatively stationary position when in use, or, if desired, the same may be fastened to a table or other support in a concealed position, if desired, to permit of attaching the cords appliances thereto in a neat and attractive manner.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device which may be made from moldable material, such for example, as bakelite and which includes in its organization a pair of contact strips so arranged that any desired number of plugs may be connected with said strips. Furthermore, the arrangement is such that theconta ct strips will have suiicient spring or yield t0 always insure the prongs of the plugs making proper electrical contact with the strips.

With the above and other objects lin view, the invention consists in the novel features of construction` combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawing and defined in the appended claims.

A preferred and practical embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure l is a top plan View of a device embodying a construction of the present invention.

-fastening receiving openings 1929. Serial N0. 355,535.

Figure 3 is a vertical longitudinal crosssectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1'.

Figure It is a vertical transverse sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 1. l,

Similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several figures of the drawing.

According to the embodiment of the invention shown in the accompanying drawing-the same includes in its organization a body designated generallyy as A and preferably made of a moldable material, such for example, as a phenolic condensation product. `Thenpper face of the body is provided with a plurality of plug outlets B while the bottom edge thereof is preferably flanged at lthe sides as indicated at C to provide a base of sufficient width and area to prevent overturning of the body upon theinsertion and withdrawal of plugs inserted in the receptacles. It will of course be understood that any number of outlets or receptacles B may be provided in the body A, the present construction being particularly intended for that purpose. However, for purposes of illustration a unit has been selected showing three outlets, the number generally desiredv for table use. While, as previously indicated, the device is intended for portable use it may, when desired, be attached to the underside of the table or other convenient surface, and to that end the flanges C may be provided with D. These openings are made sufficiently ornamental so as not to mar the appearance of the device when it is used as a portable.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the present cludes the body A having the characteristics pointed out. and carrying therewith a line Wire cord E and push plug F for connecting the device with any electrical fixture, such as wall or :floor receptacle convenient to the table.

Referring now more specifically to the details of construction it will be observed that each of the receptacle outlets B are provided v9o device therefore essentially inwith openings4 1 and 2 for receiving the prongs of the attachment plug of the push type. These openings communicate with the hollow recessed interior portion or chamber 3 of the body which houses the line wire terminals and the live contacts for the prongs of the attachment plugs. The open face of the recess is preferably closed by a relatively' plurality of posts 5, 6 and 7, each of which are provided at opposite sides thereof with suitable grooves G which register with the openings 1 and 2 in the receptacles and' provide guideways for the prongs of the attachment plugs. These posts are preferably molded as a part of the body A and, therefore, may be of the same material, although it will of course be understood that it is within the scope of the invention to use elements of this character which may not be a part of the body but are affixed or associated therewith in a permanent manner. The end posts 5 and 7 are preferably provided with the outstanding or offset anges 8 and cooperate with the offset rib elements 9 at the sides of the chamber 3 to hold and retain a pair of contact strips -10 in the body. These contact strips are preferably made of copper or other conducting metal and by reason of the construction described, namely, the posts 5, 6 and 7; the flangesS and the ribs 9 may be frictionally held in place at opposite sides of the posts thereby completely overlying all of the grooves or guideways G. In assembling the device it will be apparent that the contact strips may be merely placed in position at opposite sides of the posts between the flanges 8, and that they will be held yieldingly against and over the guideways due to the fact that the ribs 9 are long enough to slightly bow or bend the strips between the posts, thereby to place them under tension and always hold them tightly against the open sides of the guideways. This construction has the advantage of insuring a good electrical contact between the strips and the prongs of the attachment plugs, and by reason of the simplicity and effectiveness of the arrangement the strips will retain their resiliency indefinitely. Also it will be seen from Fig. 4 that the edges of the contact strips adjacent the openings 1 and 2 are bowed or bent as indicated at 10a to assist the entrance of the plug prongs.

The line wire cord E is led into the chamber 3 of the body through an opening 11 in one end thereof, and also through a similar opening 12 in one of the insulated posts, for example, the post 7 The ends of the line wires may then be conveniently soldered to thel strips as indicated at 13 to permanently connect the line wires with the Contact strips.

The foregoing arrangement provides a body which may be molded in a simple and practical manner, and which in, assembling only requires the leading in of the line wire through the openings 11 and 12 and the attachment of the wires thereof to the strips 10-10, whereupon the latter may be slipped into position in the manner heretofore referred to. The cover 4 and its insulation sheet 5 may then'be placed in position and secured by a fastening 14, such for instance as a screw, which fits into a threaded eyelet 15 embedded in the center post 6. It will of course be understood that otherforms of fastening for the cover may be provided but the means indicated is a simple and practical form of fastening and for that reason-has been selected as an example in the ,present case.

From the foregoing it is thought that the construction and advantages/.of theji'erein described table tap will now be apparent without further description, and it will also beunderstood that` modifications within the scope of the invention will be resorted to without departing from. the invention.

I claim :l r

1. A device ofthe class described including a body made of molded insulated material and havingfa recess opening at one face thereof, a plurality of spaced posts within the recess, said posts having guiding grooves communieating with prong receiving' openings in one face of the body, laterally projecting flanges formed on the posts located at the ends of the recess, a pair of flat spring contact strips arranged on opposite sides of the posts and overlying said guiding grooves, the ends of said contact strips abutting against said flanges, and lmeans engaging the strips between the posts for placing the springs under tension between the posts.

2. A device of the class described including a body made of molded insulated material and yhaving a recess opening at one face of the body and also having a plurality of gro'oved posts arranged in the recess, the grooves-in the posts communicating with openings in one face of the body, a line wire receiving opening in one wall of the body, a pair of contact strips adapted to be connected to a wire led through said line wire receiving opening, and said strips lying on opposite sides of the grooved posts, and projections extending from the sides of the recess for engaging the spring strips between said posts.

3. A device of the class described including a body made of molded insulating material and having a recess opening at'one face of the body, a plurality of spaced posts arranged in the recess and adapted to lie between spaced openings in the top wall of the recessed body a llne wire receiving opening in one wall o the body, a pair of contact strips arranged on opposite sides of said posts andA adapted to be connected to a wire led throu h said line Wire receiving opening, and proJections extending from recessed body for maintaining the spring contact strips against said osts.v

In testimony whereof ,y hereunto aiix my signature.

CARL M. PETERSEN.

the mner side walls of the v 

